Don't Give Your Home Wi-Fi Password to Anyone: Set Up a Guest Network

Do not share your Wi-Fi Password when guests come home! Create a Separate Guest Network

You may need to share your Wi-Fi password when guests come to your home. However, you may not want to share the main network to which all devices in the house connect with everyone.

Found in some modems and routers Guest Network feature helps you create a separate wireless network for visitors.

TP-Link's official guide, updated on June 23, 2026, explains the steps of creating a guest network and specifying a separate network name and password for this network. Note that menus may vary depending on device model and software. TP-Link

Why use a guest network?

The guest network provides a separate wireless network for visitors to connect to the Internet.

The advantages of this are:

• You won't have to constantly share your master Wi-Fi password.
• You can specify a different network name for guests.
• You can use a separate password.
• If your router supports it, you can limit guests' access to local devices on the home network.

The last point is particularly important. Having a guest network feature does not mean that devices are completely isolated from each other. Options such as local network access and client isolation depend on the router's capabilities.

1. Check if your modem has a guest network

First, enter the management screen of your modem or router.

1. Connect your phone or computer to your home Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the management address specified by the router's manufacturer.
3. Sign in with your administrator account.
4. Guest Network, Guest Network or a similarly named menu.

The management address of each device is not the same. Check the label on the bottom of your modem or the manufacturer's user manual.

If you do not know your administrator password, do not reset the device immediately. Consult your internet provider or device manufacturer's installation documentation first.

2. Enable guest network

TP-Link's guide for supported routers includes the following general steps:

1. On the administration screen Advanced section.
2. Guest Network.
3. Select one of the supported bands.
4. Enable the guest network feature.
5. Specify a different network name than your main network.
6. Create a separate password for the guest network.
7. Save the settings.

These steps are based on TP-Link's documented interface. Interfaces from ASUS and other manufacturers may differ. TP-Link

3. Set a strong guest network password

Set a password for the guest network that is easy to remember but not easy to guess.

Avoid:

• 12345678
• password
• Your home address
• Your phone number
• Same as your master Wi-Fi password

Keeping the guest network password different from your main network password makes it easier for you to manage access information.

4. Control guests' access to home devices

In this step, review the security options offered by your router.

Settings such as these can be found:

• Access to local network: Can determine whether guests are allowed to access other devices on the home network.
• Client isolation: Can limit devices connected to the same guest network from communicating with each other.
• Access timing: On some devices, it can enable the guest network to operate at certain times.

The names and functions of these options vary by manufacturer. If your device supports it, consider limiting local network access while allowing visitors to access the internet.

5. Test that the guest network is working

After saving the settings:

1. Open the Wi-Fi list on your phone.
2. Find the guest network you created.
3. Connect with the password you specified.
4. Test the internet connection.
5. If your router has an option to limit local network access, check that the configuration works as expected.

If the internet is not working, check the guest network settings, password information and the wireless band support you have selected.

6. Does guest networking solve everything?

No. This feature, when configured correctly, helps you manage network access in a more controlled manner. However, it does not eliminate all security risks.

It is also important to keep your router's software up to date, use a strong administrator password, and not leave unnecessary remote management features turned on.

Result: Creating a separate Wi-Fi network for visitors at home is a practical way to manage access information for your main network. You can especially benefit from this feature if your router can limit local network access.

Official sources: TP-Link guest network setup guide · ASUS guest network setup guide